654 HABITS OF THE MOOEUK. 



The voice of the Mooruk is a kind of whistling chirp. It is a very cleanly bird, keeping 

 its plumage free from stain, and being very fond of washing, lying down to have repeated 

 bucketfuls of water poured over its body, and squatting on the ground in heavy rain. In 

 the month of May, 1861, three examples of the Mooruk were in the Zoological Gardens, 

 all presented by Dr. Bennett. Their proceedings when in captivity are most amusingly 

 told by their owner in his valuable "Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australasia," and 

 although too long to be entirely inserted, are so interesting and so indicative of the 

 Mooruk's character, that a portion must find a place in these pages. 



" On the 29th of October I succeeded in purchasing the birds. When placed in the 

 yard, they walked about as tame as turkeys. They approached any one who came in, as 

 if desirous of being fed, and were very docile. They began pecking at a bone they found 

 lying about (probably not having tasted any meat for some time), and would not, while 

 engaged upon it, touch some boiled potatoes which were thrown to them ; indeed, it was 

 found afterwards that they fed better out of a dish than from the ground, having no doubt 

 been early accustomed to be fed in that manner. They seemed also fond of scraping about 

 the dunghill, and appeared to pick up food from it, probably insects or grubs. They were 

 as familiar as if born and bred among us for years, and did not require time to reconcile 

 them to their new situation, but were sociable and quite at home at once. 



We found them on the following day rather too tame, or, like spoilt pets, too often in 

 the way. One or both of them would walk into the kitchen, and while one was dodging 

 tinder the tables and chairs, the other would leap up on the table, keeping the cook in a 

 state of excitement ; or they would be heard in the hall or in the library, in search of food 

 or information ; or they would walk upstairs, and then quickly descend again, making 

 their peculiar chirping, whistling noise ; not a door could be left open, but in they walked. 

 They kept the servants constantly on the alert : if one went to open the door, on turning 

 round she found a Mooruk behind her ; for they seldom went together, generally wandering 

 apart from each other. 



If any attempt was made to turn them out by force, they would dart rapidly about the 

 room, dodging about under the tables, chairs, and sofas, and then end by squatting down 

 under a sofa or in a corner ; indeed, it was impossible to remove the bird, except by 

 carrying it away. On attempting this, the long muscular legs would begin kicking and 

 struggling, when it would soon get released, and politely walk out of its own accord. I 

 found the best method was to entice them out as if you had something eatable in your 

 hand, when they would follow the direction in which you wished to lead them. On the 

 housemaid attempting to turn the bird out of one of the rooms, it kicked her and tore her 

 dress. They walk into the stables among the horses, poking their bills into the manger. 

 When writing in my study, a chirping, whistling noise is heard ; the door, which is ajar, 

 is pushed open, and in walk the Mooruks, who quietly pace round the room inspecting 

 everything, and then as peaceably go out again. 



Even in the very tame state of these birds, I have seen sufficient of them to know 

 that, if they were loose in a wood, it would be impossible to catch them, and almost as 

 difficult to shoot them. One day, when apparently frightened at something that occurred, 

 I saw one of them scour round the yard at a swift pace, and disappear under the archway 

 so rapidly that the eye could hardly follow it, upsetting all the poultry in its progress, as 

 they could not get out of the way. The lower half of the stable door, about four feet high, 

 was kept shut, to prevent them going in ; but this proved no obstacle, as it was easily 

 leaped over by these birds. 



They never appeared to take any notice of or be frightened at the jabiru, or gigantic 

 crane, which was in the same yard, although that sedate, stately bird was not pleased 

 at their intrusion. One day I observed the jabiru spreading his long wings, and clattering 

 his beak, opposite one of the Mooruks, as if in ridicule of their wingless condition. The 

 Mooruk, on the other hand, was preening its feathers, and spreading out its funny little 

 apology for wings, as if proud of displaying the stiff horny shafts with which they were 

 adorned. The Mooruks often throw up all their feathers, ruffling them, and then they 

 suddenly fall flat as before. Their wings aid them in running, but are never used for 



